Celebs Who Kept Their Names and Those Who Didn't

In the entertainment world, names carry weight. Some stars stick with their original names, while others switch to something more familiar. This choice often reflects personal values and the industry's expectations.

The Pressure to Change

Many actors face pressure to change their names to something easier to pronounce or more marketable. For instance:

• Michelle Yeoh adopted the name Michelle early in her career because her producer thought her real name was too hard for people to say.
• Mindy Kaling shortened her name to make it easier for comedians and audiences to remember.

Standing Firm

However, not everyone gives in to this pressure. For example:

• Amrit Kaur recently started correcting people's pronunciation of her name. She believes that if people can learn to say names like Saoirse Ronan, they can also learn South Asian names.
• Ki Hong Lee had similar thoughts, inspired by Uzo Aduba's story about her mother encouraging her to keep her name.

Unique Journeys

Taika Waititi's name journey is unique. He switched between his father's last name, Waititi, and his mother's last name, Cohen, depending on where he lived. Eventually, he stuck with Waititi, which became his professional name.

• Jo Koy's stage name comes from a childhood nickname given by his aunt. He found it endearing and decided to use it for his comedy career.
• Awkwafina's name started as a joke but became her brand after a slight spelling change to avoid legal issues.

Keeping It Real

• Keanu Reeves was told his name was "too ethnic" when he first entered Hollywood. He considered changing it but ultimately decided to keep it.
• Maitreyi Ramakrishnan emphasized the importance of respecting people's names, especially those with long or complex pronunciations.

The Impact of Change

Some celebrities, like Kal Penn, found that changing their names led to more opportunities. Penn noticed a significant increase in audition callbacks after Anglicizing his name. However, others, like Ke Huy Quan, returned to their original names after realizing the importance of their identity.

Personal Branding

• Bruno Mars's stage name comes from a childhood nickname and a playful reference to his charm.
• Jamie Chung, on the other hand, proudly keeps her original name, refusing to change it even after marriage, as it is a part of her identity.